Go kart is fun and having a lawn mower attached gets your lawn mowed instantly. Moreover, kids love doing this and it can be a parent-child bonding activity. If you are like me, you must have asked this question. Should I build my own lawn mower go kart using household unusable items?
The answer is Yes, it is possible to build your own go kart using household items, including a lawn mower engine. Constructing a go kart from a lawn mower provides an opportunity to drive in the backyards of houses, making it convenient and beneficial for newcomers to the sport.
Go Kart From Lawn Mower
Constructing a go Kart from a lawn mower requires knowledge of its engine. Normally, go karts are built with horizontal shaft engines whereas lawnmowers have vertical shaft engines.
By acquiring the basics of both types of engines and their working, you can manage engine orientation for building a go kart with a lawn mower engine. Make sure you know how much it will cost to build one by gathering prices of things you don’t have but need. Otherwise, go for a commercially available ready made one to avoid the hassle.
Let’s have a look at both types of lawn mower engine go karts:
Horizontal Shaft Go Kart Engine
- The piston moves in a horizontal position.
- Smoother ride as the vibration is low.
- Suitability for shaft drive.
- Lowering the center of gravity.
- Better stability.
- Generally, frames are designed to provide more space.
Vertical Shaft Lawn Mower Engine Project
- The piston moves vertically up and down.
- Easy for starting the engine.
- Better durability.
- Engine generating power directly impacts performance.
- Due to the vertical position, more vibration is generated.
How To Make A Go Kart Out of A Lawnmower?
Lawn mower conversion to go kart seems fun, but it requires your time and money. Before getting started, a proper understanding of go kart frame, structure, engine fitting, tires, and welding of related pieces is essential to welding.
1. Remove Lawn Mower Engine
Start by removing the ignition cable also referred to as spark plug. Depress the spark plug and then you just drag it out. Additionally, drain the oil from the tank. Try to start draining the oil when the engine is burning.
After draining the oil, empty the fuel tank completely. Check out the cable line that connects the carburetor with the fuel tank and remove all fuel carefully.
Using a screwdriver, remove the necessary bolts and blades. The better option is to remove the blade first and then move to the bolts and nuts. In this way, the engine gets separated from the lawn mower frame.
Take off the drive belt: Under the lawn mower engine, a pulley connects with a belt to the crankshaft. Therefore, it is a must to pull off the drive belt certainly.
Finally, it’s time to grab the engine firmly. On the whole, the engine gets separated from the lawn mower frame. Place the engine in a safe place before moving to the next steps.
2. Build Go Kart Plan With Frame Assembly
Select a go kart frame. Go kart frame is made according to the size and dimensions of the engine. So measure the engine size and create a blueprint of the frame. The gear box goes along the engine and needs tight space. Make sure to provide that.
It is good to plan and validate before execution. Make sure the blueprint is correct.
Prepare a floor frame. A metal sheet is preferable for go kart flooring. Once, measurements are taken, rods are welded to make go kart frame base.
In addition to that, install the pedal assemblies below the metal flooring. Subsequently, the next phase is to set the axle beneath the frame. Welding a seat frame and seat structure properly at the right position.
3. Assemble Go Kart Accessories
Fixing steering columns, brake tabs, and spindle brackets. Now it’s time to cut a tube and weld it on your steering column. Drill three holes for steering assembly. Make sure it assembles properly so that it allows complete and easy steering.
Similarly, brake tabs and spindle brackets are attached beneath the floor. Spindle brackets are welded with the front axle. Also, add foot resting brake tabs for driver convenience.
Assemble brake rod and mounting engine. Take a brake rod and then pass it through the tab. You can now bend it for adjustment according to the brake. Make sure the rod passes through the tab properly so that it reaches the brake pedal.
For stabilizing the engine, an engine mount is required. Engine mount has the capacity to hold the engine in a horizontal direction.
4. Install the Engine and Gearbox
In the last step of making a lawn mower go kart, you just have to place the engine and gearbox carefully. Bolts and blades are used to connect both of these to the carburetor.
When all work is completed, now it’s time to take a test drive. Check the working of the engine. Keep in mind that drivers keep go kart at a very slow speed to avoid any serious loss.
After few days of test drive you can learn how to make a go kart go faster. So you can upgrade a slow lawn mover kart to fast one. Once you are satisfied with its working, your go kart lawn mower is ready for ride.
This way you can build a homemade go kart with lawn mower engine.
Conclusion
At the last, we assume that by carefully planning and making necessary modifications, you can build your own go kart from a lawn mower engine. But before that, make sure you know how much does a go kart cost to estimate prices.
Using a lawn mower engine in go kart eliminates the need to purchase an expensive high performance engine. Moreover, it converts lawn mowers into go kart, the process can be enjoyable yet it requires technical planning and execution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Should I make a lawn mower conversion to go kart?
Although lawn mowers build up with vertical engines whereas go kart builds using horizontal ones. Still, you can make go kart mower.
Are larger wheels preferable for a lawn mower?
Larger wheels are preferred as compared to smaller ones as they provide more stability and firm grip on uneven surface. Larger wheels push the mower forward with less effort.
How much distance a go kart lawn mower will cover?
On plain ground, a lawn mower go kart can cover a distance of 5 miles per hour. On rocky surfaces and uneven ground, it will cover a distance of about 10 miles per hour.
Is the direction of the engine matter in lawn mower go kart?
Yes. Engine orientation is done on the basis of the design of the engine mount.
How vertical shaft lawn mower engine is different from a horizontal shaft?
The physical location and direction of the engine matter a lot. Vertical shaft lawn mower engines have crankshaft embedded straight into the baseline. While on the other hand, horizontal shaft orientation has a parallel crankshaft.
About Author
I am Issac M. hailing from Atlanta, CA. It began in my dad’s garage where I learnt karting and got my hands dirty on my own karts. I noticed several basic to complex questions about karting, its mechanics and how to enter for beginners. So, to answer all these questions, I created GoKartDude. More about me.
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